yeah....dunno

OK, I got to say, for its time this was a forward-thinking film & a pretty good attempt at tackling both a taboo & highly complex subject matter. I respect anyone at least trying to explore areas no one cares to look.

Still, that said, as the few comments already reflected, there are more than a few holes & troubling aspects in the narration of this story here.

First they seem to confuse what pedophilia is all about & even back then, scientifically it's been clear pedophiles are stimulated sexually by children. That's what does it for them.
It may be ugly, reprehensible & disturbing to reflect on that fact but what studies have shown since the time study of this has begun.
One can argue all day the origin (past abuse, upbringing/nuture, nature/biology) but at least where I am concerned, not sure it much matters other than the simple reality they have one of the highest recidivism rates (well I take that back, IF they could solve this then origin DOES matter. But they are no closer now to understanding cause, or how to STOP such attraction, than they were in 1961).

So I sorta have my FIRST problem in that they didn't go far enough. They wanted to address something hard & yet not push to do so right.
We see a basically "sympathetic" character when in reality, I'd argue that's hardly EVER the case. REAL pedophiles are master manipulators that groom, seduce & abuse their victims in the most horrendous of fashions.
But that's not even CLOSE to what's depicted here.
He's more a "victim" than anything else, even surrendering to charges when it's not made clear to us he even "intended" to rape this girl. And IF he DID (and yes, let's say he did & went to prison for good reason), then why not have THAT discussed & explored with his doctor? Because it turns everyone's stomach, perhaps?
So yeah, let's pass it off that he had a difficult mother! Huh? I mean, does that change his sexual ATTRACTION (here's another fact....adult sexual dysfunction is RARELY--well from what I studied.. NEVER-- the cause of ones sexual predilection for children).

But yeah, I get that for 50 years ago, even attempting this (with all its flaws) is brave in itself, so I support that. Plus the acting, direction & script were mostly well done.

Where it REALLY lost me, however, is having this girlfriend's unquestioning (well...nearly!) support & undying loyalty!
Even IF she flinches when daughter runs to him, other than that...she's this trusting saint! C'mon! For goodness sakes, he never TOLD her!! And even if we allow for that lapse (it can be explained away, won't do so here but recognize so), the VERY first thing one would want to know is the FULL Story & RIGHT NOW.
But no, she doesn't much seem to care about details...she loves him & love solves all problems, right?
Well NO, it doesn't and that was not an honest, open & proper human-condition response. If it WAS, then god help the children of parents as irresponsible & selfish as that. Scary.
But no, I didn't buy it.
and again, maybe it's just me being rigid & clear on this but no...I don't exactly applaud nor enjoy a "sympathetic" pedophilia story.
Let's be honest, they just aren't the type we should feel ANY empathy for! Not even good to depict it as such in film!
They are sociopaths in many respects & care only for themselves. And the damage they inflict on kids lasts a lifetime & many occasions, ruins lives entirely. They should NEVER...and I mean, EVER, get out into society!